Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-17
,ADJOURNS.
Session Of the Congregational
Churches Closes.
Last Day Of the Conference a Very
Busy One.
Prof. c. J. n. Ropes Address on
Amusements."
The Conference Enters Into Heated Dis
cussion.
Rev. r. +. BayIey's Address Com munfon
Service.
ADJOURNs.
Rev. r. r. BayIey's Address Com mun fou
Service.


Yesterday was the last and closing day of
the Copgre pational Conference. and il nroved
ILL. - 70 -. ,.
ei'"'
The attendance was wen maintained
The early morning service was well at
,.nded Rev i s. Richards of Alfred ls,d-
Inc DEVOTIONAL exercises III a. NJ, were
of much interest, many prayers and testi.
monies beng offered Rev. w. B. Hague of
c.. p-.,,..., ,oa
'ou'"
At3 10 the conference convened, Modera
tor Hallock in the chair
The roll was called by the scribe.
Rev Ebenezer Bean Of GRAY reported in
behalf of the committee on the report Of the
Corresponding Secretary, taking up several
points Relative to filling the II vacant pul-
pits the committee would advise that in
Aroostook, Oxford and Washington countie.
missionaries be employed The pastors in
places where there are churches near them
without ministers might once a quarter be
released by their congregations to preach one
Sunday in some church destitute OF a minis.
ter and also during the week to visit families
in parishes destitute of pastoral oversight and
stated preaching
IL
beth, presented the work of the Sunday
schools. He characterized the Sunday school
as the main artery of the churches Let ma
give this work a larger place 10 our churches
and increase It's efficiency.
The Moderator announced that the tonic
for discussion wa. 1.-The Work Of the Cburcb
Among the Young People." l. Wh.t arc ~ u.
doing? The discussion was onened nv Rev
william Forsyth of Backsport. Mr. For,vrb
believed there had been marked progress, in
one direction. We have gained in the ma n.
ife.tation of our regard TOR the snir;,na, wai
fare of the souls of the younp. In tbis ma,ter
christian people have progressed immensely
Look at our Sabbath SCHOOLS. ourY M &
associations, our Societies of Christian En-.
deayor. Not only do we feel This interest fn-
the younp to-day, but we are willing Ia man.
ifest il in no uncertain manner Mr. Eorsy,h
also thought there had been an advanca in
the idea that our Young peonla arc
CAPABLE of receiving the sniri, Of CD
and becoming members of the church Va
thought the oumber of people who onnosed
the receiving of youth into the church IN
he a small minority. He believed na,sons
over tw elve or fifteen wears of ave c,nld be.
come converted. Another innovation ~ ,b;s
times is the growing tendency tn mn voung
people into places of responsibilitv and lsv,
inc burdens unon them Tim. dev.Ion;,n =.
spir,t of self reliance and con6denca and
adding to their usefulness. He would MAKO
our Young people who come into the church
vounu men and voupo women Of nrave,-
public PRAYER. The cultivation of a svstem.
attic. personal method of giving YVES advised
for Young people. Churcbmanshin wss
recommended as the crown of ALI relioi,us
effort, and works. The sneaker empbasized
organic ID Christianity We want an ob;act
The order of the conference was fixed at
u.3O.
Rev +. s. Root of Auburn:
The church i. doing practically nothing
for the Young people. Where are the young
people working in our factories and mann
factories the Sabbath day? Walking nm
and down our streets obtaining rest from
their toll and labor OF the week Here we
are. one of the richest and most powerful
religions organizations in the country d,iny
nothing for them. Young people, the speaker
sal l. are ken away from our churches and
Sabbath schools by a lack of interest He
thought there should b. more practical
preaching, more consideration of the live
questions of the day, and less discoursinQ on
the character of Abraham and other kindred
subjects, dry and uninteresting TO the great
mass o. our youth.
The next speaker was Rev. V. Norcross of
Union who recommended a .sholdinp on" to
the Young people. What are we doing
to retain our hold on the Young people that
are going out from us? That is the point
which wish to impress upon you Follow
them with your prayers and sympathy write
them warm letters iuquiring after their
Christian welfare
The second topic of the discussion, "What
more can We do for orr young people?" was
opened bv Rev. II. S Huntington Of Cum
beraud. He urged y realizs ion of a higher
ideal of home life aud the importance of
Christian Influence aud instruction in fami
lies The Indifference to the ordinance of
baptism and the fact that the boys and girls
are church members, was cited. He would
not limit the minimum age of conversion to
twelve or fifteen years Meetings for boys and
girls and the manner of conducting them were
treated ut some length Some valuable
ideas were evolved
The discussion was continued by Prof c.
]. II. Ropes of Bangor. who treated the sub
iect OF .Amusements," The necessity of
smusements was accepted He would not
have repression or prohibition. but regulate
recreation. The church, If she does not re-
press amusemenis, is equally at fault If
neglec. and indifference is m aufested towards
them. What ought the church to do? Lesveu